The Truth Behind Artificial Sweeteners

The Truth Behind Artificial Sweeteners

What is the truth behind artificial sweeteners? You probably know the negative health effects of eating too much sugar, especially “added sugars” like in soda pop, candy, baked goods, and many commercially-available kinds of cereal, just to name a few. Added sugar is hiding just about everywhere in the grocery store.

A while ago, one of the food industry’s responses to the demand for lower-calorie foods that still taste great, was artificial sweeteners.

The idea behind them is that you can still get the sweetness, without the calories; like when you have a “diet pop” versus a regular one. Theoretically, this was going to help people maintain a healthy body weight, and hopefully not increase anyone’s risk of heart disease, diabetes, or obesity.

But, it doesn’t always work out the way we think it will…

Types of artificial sweeteners

Sugar substitutes fall into several categories, but what they all have in common is that they have a sweet taste and fewer calories than plain sugar.

They’re also known as “non-nutritive sweeteners,” and include things like:

Saccharin (Sweet & Low),

Acesulfame potassium,

Aspartame (Equal & NutraSweet), and

Sucralose (Splenda)

Health effects of artificial sweeteners

Negative health effects from artificial sweeteners are cited all over the place, and while many studies show effects, others don’t. Cancer? Maybe yes, maybe no. Heart disease? Maybe yes, maybe no. Not to mention that much of the research has been on animals, which may or may not translate to people.

I did want to point out one ironic thing, to do with artificial sweeteners and weight.

One study found that people who tend to drink diet sodas have double the risk of gaining weight than those who didn’t.

Another study has shown an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and diabetes for those who consume diet drinks every day.

While these results don’t apply equally to everyone, they do somehow seem ironic, don’t they?

How do artificial sweeteners affect our bodies?

Now that’s a million-dollar question!

There are so many ideas out there to try to explain it, but the reality is we don’t know for sure; plus, it might play out differently in different people.

Is it because people feel that they can eat cake because they’ve switched to diet soda?

Perhaps it’s because the sweeteners change the taste preferences so that fruit starts to taste worse, and veggies taste terrible?

It can be that the sweet taste of these sweeteners signals to our body to release insulin to lower our blood sugar; but, because we didn’t actually ingest sugar, our blood sugar levels get too low, to the point where we get sugar cravings.

Some even say (and at least one animal study suggests) that saccharin may inspire addictive tendencies toward it.

Maybe there is even a more complex response that involves our gut microbes and how they help to regulate our blood sugar levels.

Conclusion:

Understand that added sugar is not good for you, but the solution may not be to replace them all with artificial sweeteners.

I highly recommend reducing your sugar intake, so you naturally re-train your palate and start enjoying the taste of real food that isn’t overly sweet. This way you’re reducing your intake of added sugar, as well as not needing to replace it with artificial sweeteners.

Try having ½ teaspoon less of sugar in your hot morning drink. Consider reducing a ¼ cup of the sugar called for in some recipes. Try diluting juice with water.

Your body will thank you!

Recipe (naturally sweetened): Sweet Enough Matcha Latte

Serves 1

1 teaspoon matcha powder

1.5 cup almond milk, unsweetened

1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional)

Heat almond milk and maple syrup/honey (if using) in a small pot.

Add matcha powder to cup.

When almond milk is hot, add about a ¼ cup to matcha and stir to combine.

Add rest of the milk to the cup.

Serve & enjoy!

Tip: You can steep a chai tea bag in the milk if you prefer chai tea over matcha.

DISCOVER THE HAPPY SIDE OF HEALTHY…ONE RECIPE AT A TIME.

Check out the Eat More Burn More cookbook and learn why it isn’t a diet. It isn’t a new health craze. It’s a way of eating healthy and delicious food that is GOOD for you. Food you can feel good about putting in your body. Oh, and the $9.95 price tag isn’t so bad either. I’ll even throw in free shipping.

Take the steps to eliminate artificial sweeteners from your diet today for your best life!

Summary

Article Name

The Truth Behind Artificial Sweeteners - Why You Must Eliminate Them

Description

What is the truth behind artificial sweeteners? Learn why we suggest you eliminate them & what you can do instead so your body with thank you

Author

Wendy Bottrell

Publisher Name

VQW Team

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The Health Coach

Hello, thanks for checking out my webiste and blog. I am a Holistic Health Coach with a Passion for helping feel better, look better and live longer. My approach is very simple. Nutrition or lack of nutrition is the reason for Most Illness today. By providing clients with a solid foundation I am offering a chance for them to improve how they feel and look at the world. By doing this clients are having a chance to do more because they are feeling more about themselves.
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